Just because all of the reputable scientists warn against an almost inevitable culling of the human race by natural resources through climate change doesn't mean that spin artists won't deny it for their own selfish political or industrial adgenda.
Just because the NFL officials miss well over half of the head-to-head collisions that should be penalized, doesn't mean that 'good job' head-butts are a good thing. Being that those celebratory head butts are repetitive and ever so much more often by multiple team members, they are probably responsible for as much brain scrambling as anything. The one thing a soldier fears most is friendly fire, yet the NFL culture of bravado seems to encourage it.
I remember when I caught a pass and came back to the huddle when I was playing with my friends, I had to contend with getting beat-up by them worse than being tackled. I am even convinced that I would've done much better at football if they just smacked my ass, but instead they would smack me on the head or create a stinger in my hand/arm with a very enthusiastically brutal high-five.
Now, this being a Sioux Falls Storm fan blog, I should probably be critical of the IFL. The thing is, I go to every home game and I often photograph it in burst mode, but I don't really see the Storm or the IFL playing with that same kind of abandon for their own health that is so prevalent in the NFL. Sure, I see stiff arms, but I see a whole lot fewer face masks.
Unfortunately, the culture of denial may have trickled down to me, as well. I cannot video record the games (due to team video recording rules) to check myself out and the video isn't readily available. I have still always loved football, though I do know that it was the overabundant misdirected violent celebration of my peers that kept me from leaving the lake a week or two early to try-out for the team.
It's this same culture of denial that has infected the world. Everyone is a spin-doctor in order to deny and avoid facing the obvious truths. But, that doesn't actually work. Nor has it ever worked. Nor will it, ever.
What does work is the culture of respect I see through-out the IFL, sometimes in spite of a team's fans. It shows itself in good sportsmanship, making for great competition and brotherhood. And above all, it shows a respect not just for your opponents and your teammates, but it displays tremendous respect for yourself.
Either that, or I am in denial as a fan of the Sioux Falls Storm and the IFL as a whole. But if you see that, call me out on it.
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